Old Sonnar 50mm f1.5 question

peterrm

first camera-Canon Vt
Local time
1:43 AM
Joined
Feb 21, 2005
Messages
20
I recently picked up a old 50mm f1.5 Sonner. It was misdescribed as being in an M39 ltm mount (I shoot old Canons).
My first question is: is this the mount for the old Contax rf cameras? See photos.
I see a rainbow colored film covering most of what seems to be the back of the front element. Is this fungus, oil or some other problem with the coating? I haven't ever seen anything like this on my old Canon lenses.
Thanks in advance for any thoughts
 

Attachments

  • sonnar50mm2.jpg
    sonnar50mm2.jpg
    80.7 KB · Views: 1
  • sonner50mm1.jpg
    sonner50mm1.jpg
    81.9 KB · Views: 1
That center dark shape, is that jsut a reflection, or does the colouration stop there. If the latter is the case, then this could be severe seperation of glued elements. Since the center is still good (if this is the case) then the results could be very interesting. Get yourself a Kiev 4a to try it out on.
 
I agree with the others about the lens mount. It's for the Contax rangefinder and the Kiev copies.

That looks like element separation. That might affect contrast, but separation won't affect sharpness or resolution. Use a lens hood, and you really shouldn't notice anything.
 
Definately for the Contax lens mount. Hard to tell for sure, but it looks like severe failure of cemented lens elements to me. The serial number of the CZ lens suggests a manufacturing date late in the Contax lifeline, around 1960 or so. What I find curious is that the heavy chrome plating has worn off a portion of the lens mount, suggesting that it was either mounted and dismounted quite a lot, or was scratched by a damaged internal lens mount. I have never seen a lens with this peculiar damage.
 
Last edited:
Wayne R. Scott said:
Yes it is for old Contax rangefinders.

I don't know about the rainbow, looks like an oil slick to me.

Wayne


I was told those (rainbow) are seperations.
 
Thanks to all for all the expert advice.
Frank: no the seperation is not in the center, so it may be interesting yet-will it fit on any Kiev? I only paid $40 for it, so other than a chastising emial to the sender I guess I'll chalk it up to 'buyer beware".
Thanks again,
Peter
 
peterrm said:
Thanks to all for all the expert advice.
Frank: no the seperation is not in the center, so it may be interesting yet-will it fit on any Kiev? I only paid $40 for it, so other than a chastising emial to the sender I guess I'll chalk it up to 'buyer beware".
Thanks again,
Peter

For $40, you might just keep this for the barrel, if it is indeed a CZ, instead of a J-3
 
Back
Top Bottom